Using a Double-Balloon Catheter to Control Trocar Bleeding in Laparoscopic Surgery

Abstract

We describe an apparatus designed to prevent bleeding from the orifices produced by trocars in laparoscopic surgery. The device consists of a 2 mm-diameter catheter that has two inflatable balloons at the tip, separated by a 3 mmspace (the interballoon area). When applied to the trocar orifice, one balloon is situated above the aponeurosis and the other one below it, thus closing the aponeurosis in the interglobal area. The balloons remain inflated for 24-48 hours. When they are deflated, the catheter is extracted and, due to its small diameter, the skin and the aponeurosis remain closed. During these 24-48 hours, the inflation pressure of the balloons produces haemostasis above and below the aponeurosis.